麻豆传媒AV

The new year is here and as usual we take the chance to have a look over our shoulders at all the things that in January 2013 we did or promised we would. It seemed as the year passed by it has left a great taste in the mouth. At least all or most of the young men and women who were away in far off countries have returned home and some of them came home safe in mind and body. For others, they left one hell only to face another in the form of the veterans affairs ministry who proved to be just as bad an enemy as the one they left in Afghanistan. This story of veterans having to beg and plead for the help they need seems to have been going on since the end of the First World War. The actions of that ministry can only be compared to the actions of some senators, a prime minister and his colleagues who seem determined to continue lying, cheating and the perpetuating the misuse of public money. What chance does a young person crippled in mind and body have when faced with that kind of "truth and honesty."

In 2013, the provincial government has come up with a new Community Rink Affordability Grant program. In the wording of the grant, the government said, "Saskatchewan is built on the strength of its communities and upon a history of vibrant, self-sufficient and socially supportive towns and cities. Healthy individuals and communities are dependent upon a recreation infrastructure that provides attractive and safe places and spaces in which to play, socialize, rejuvenate and challenge the mind, body and spirit." That statement embodies the philosophy of the Saskatchewan Seniors Association since its beginning in 1939 and describes exactly what each and every senior center does every time they open their doors. So the big question remains, why were the senior centers of SSAI excluded from this grant program? The grant afforded those places that were eligible an amount not exceeding $2,500 to help with the cost of keeping the doors open. It does appear seniors are the individuals who are referred to in that quote who need safe and secure places for recreation and socialization. Maybe we are just too accustomed to looking after ourselves or we just don't care. Well SSAI cares and we have already forwarded by mail our philosophy and a resolution that proposes a change to that particular grant program.

SSAI struck a new committee in 2013 and its job is to come up with ways and means to help the association to keep its head above water with renewed membership participation. One of those programs was a raffle that was restricted to SSAI membership only. It meant that once a week in all the senior centers members would pay an extra 25 cents for their coffee and this would be forwarded to SSAI and once every three months six centers would receive a lump sum to help with their expenses. Those six centers would be selected by way of a draw, but more details of this and other programs will, I'm sure, be coming out of SSAI. There could be more incentives for members coming along in the future when the committee has had the opportunity to work with businesses and other organizations. 2014 could quite easily be a interesting year for all of SSAI's members who choose not only to help themselves but to help each other.

I want to take the opportunity to thank all those seniors who have contacted me over the last years in connection with this monthly letter program, but I also want to encourage those seniors who read it to let me know if they have any constructive ideas for future letters. It's always nice to hear from you, especially if you have good things to say. They say it takes a whole village to raise a child and I have no doubt that it is going to take all of our members to make this great association even better.

The world lost a very great man when Nelson Mandela passed away and his legacy and memory should serve as an inspiration to us all and especially to all those persons who were elected to make life better for everyone and not just the chosen few. There still is a tremendous gap between poverty and prosperity and to some of us that gap seems to be getting bigger and life down there in the streets seems to get a little more difficult as each day passes.

As seniors we have been through all that and despite the setbacks we can, if we want, start off a happy New Year with a promise to keep active and stay healthy.